Thursday, January 24, 2008

Baby High Chairs - What Options Do You Need?

By Ned D'Agostino

When new parents are looking at all of the things they must have for their child, baby high chairs are near the top of the list. There are so many different options out there, it can be confusing wondering which features are must haves and which are simply optional. Here's what to look for in a high chair.

Safety features are obviously very important. You should look for a chair with a wide base for the greatest stability. It should have a low center of gravity to minimize the chance of tipping over. Once a baby is old enough to need one, they are strong enough to do all sorts of things to unbalance a chair, and should never be left alone while in their high chair.

Invest in a high chair that has good safety straps. A five point harness is the safest choice, but some parents find them cumbersome. The basic straps should include a crotch strap that is used in conjunction with the waist strap. This ensures that the baby does not slip through the bottom and become entangled in the straps. Don't rely on just the tray to keep your child safe.

Comfort is important, but being easily washed is also. Check the cleaning instructions for the pad and make sure it is machine washable. Trust me, you will be glad that it is the first time your precious little one dumps strained peas in their lap!

Many on the market today offer options like attachable toys to keep baby entertained. These are actually very helpful. Babies are easily bored, so having something fun for them to play with will allow everyone else at the table to enjoy their meal in peace. It can also entertain a hungry child while dinner is being prepared.

Some other nice features are a one hand tray release. This makes getting your baby in and out of their chair much easier. Another great thing to have is a high chair that reclines. This allows even very young babies to take part in family meals. Many chairs also have height adjustments so they will fit any table. Many manufacturers make trays that you can simply put in the dishwasher for easy clean up. Other chairs have a snack tray option. This means that there is a smaller tray underneath the large mealtime tray that is perfect for an afternoon snack.

What options you choose depends largely on how you plan to use them and your budget. Remember the more features you select, the more the chair will cost. If it is just for occasional meals, a basic model will be just fine. If you plan to use it daily, however, then you may want to go for more bells and whistles. The only things that you really cannot afford to scrimp on are the basic high chair safety features that we mentioned above.

To learn more about baby high chairs and the many options available to you visit http://www.discounthighchairs.com, a popular website designed to help parents pick out the perfect high chair for their child. You'll also find great deals on high chairs from the most popular makers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ned_D'Agostino

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